L.A., Washington Receive Top Rankings for Green Buildings

By Nathan Eddy |
Posted 2010-03-23

A report by the Environmental Protection Agency found that Los
Angeles continues to lead the nation in green
buildings, with 293 energy-efficient buildings. Washington,
D.C., followed with 204 buildings. The EPA report
noted that the nation's capital added 68 Energy Star-rated buildings between
2008 and 2009. Last year, the Washington
metro region placed fourth.

San Francisco dropped one spot,
placing third with 173 Energy Star-qualified buildings. That figure was down 11
percent from 194 recognized buildings included in last year's report.

Denver, with 136 green
buildings, and Chicago (134), whose
mayor, Richard Daley, is pushing for the city to be "the greenest in America,"
rounded out the top five cities, the report said. Houston
placed sixth with 133 buildings qualifying for Energy Star status. New
York City, the nation's largest city, placed tenth
with 90 qualifying buildings.

Among other major U.S.
metropolises, Boston landed in 13th
place, Miami in 19th place and Philadelphia
in 24th place. Portland and Seattle,
two cities known for their environmentally friendly approaches to city living,
placed 12th and 14th, respectively.

To determine the performance of a facility, the EPA compares energy use among
other, similar types of facilities on a scale of 1-100; buildings that achieve
a score of 75 or higher may be eligible for the Energy Star rating. The EPA
rating system also accounts for differences in operating conditions, regional
weather data and other considerations. "This will come as a surprise to
many people outside of Washington
because they don't think of Washington
as a green city," Cliff Majersik, executive director of the D.C.-based
nonprofit Institute for Market Transformation, told the Washington Post.

According to an interview with EPA
spokeswoman Maura Beard in the San Francisco Chronicle, the number of Energy
Star-approved buildings across the country climbed to 9,000 in 2009, up from
6,200 in 2008. "Across the U.S.
the numbers grew, but we want to put out a call to action," Beard told the
paper. "We're off to a good start, but we need to improve."

Earlier this week, the EPA honored a group of
manufacturers, retailers, public schools, hospitals, real estate companies,
home builders and other organizations as 2010 Energy Star award winners. These
organizations were recognized for their long-term commitment to fighting
climate change through greater energy efficiency and included the Building
Owners and Managers Association International in Washington,
D.C., and PECO Energy in Philadelphia.

"Organizations across the country and around the world are now making
energy efficiency and reducing environmental impact a priority," said EPA
Regional Administrator Shawn M. Garvin. "I commend this year's Energy Star
Award winners for leading the way in that transition."